Senator Sigei urges new IEBC team to rebuild public trust ahead of 2027 polls
By Aloys Michael, July 17, 2025Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei has called on the newly appointed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) team to urgently focus on rebuilding public trust and credibility in Kenya’s electoral processes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in an interview on a local TV station on Thursday, July 17, 2025, Sigei emphasised the need for the IEBC to adopt a transparent, participatory, and accountable approach if it is to regain the confidence of Kenyans, which he noted has significantly eroded over the years.
“Right now, Kenyans do not trust even their leaders, yet they put them in office, not because of anything else, but because of the challenges they have had to go through from past experiences with IEBC,” Sigei said.
“They need to build that confidence in the mindset of Kenyans, especially in the context of the trust deficit we’ve had over time.”
Senator Sigei acknowledged the controversial nature of some IEBC appointments but urged the commissioners to rise above regional biases and deliver credible results.
“That, in itself, has been an exercise that somehow gave Kenyans the feeling that some individuals were validated merely because of their region or community. That should not be lost on us,” he said.
The IEBC reforms
With the new team already in office, the senator urged them to actively reach out to the public.
“They need to develop programs that will sensitise Kenyans, reach out to them, and let them know the role they are supposed to play transparently and inclusively,” Sigei noted.
“That way, it becomes a participatory exercise.”
He identified the 2027 elections as a key test for the IEBC.
Their major assignment is to conduct the upcoming elections in a transparent and verifiable manner. This will be the litmus test for the IEBC,” he stated.
On the issue of resources, Sigei revealed that the IEBC had requested Ksh 61 billion for operations but received less than that.
“We hope that in this financial year and the next, the IEBC will get sufficient funding to run their operations effectively,” he said, adding that budget constraints remain a major concern.
He also pointed out unresolved financial obligations:
The pending bills portfolio for the IEBC is still outstanding. They’ve also raised the need to upgrade technology, clean the voter register, and clear debts. All of these are necessary for a smooth election,” he explained.
Sigei stressed the need for legal reforms following various court rulings on the 2022 elections.
“Several laws will have to be amended to align with the court pronouncements. Parliament must work to ensure that we reflect these in our legal framework,” he said.
The senator warned against early political rhetoric that could undermine public perception of the electoral body.
“Even as we expect the IEBC to deliver credible elections, some leaders are already making pronouncements that may create perceptions that hurt the process,” he cautioned.